Chris mthre



(No Model.)

0. MYHRB. GAR SEAL.

Patented Jan} 23, 1894.

rated from the seal.

UNIT D STATES CHRIS MYHRE, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF THREE-FOURTHS TO PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES D. HOUSEMAN, JR., OF SAME PLACE.

GAR-SEAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 513,274, dated January 23, 1894. Application filed March 2'7, 1893. Serial No. 467,742. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHRIS MYHRE, of the city of St. Louis and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Car-Seals, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention relates to car seals, and consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved self-fastening seal, which shall be simple and reliable in construction and operation and of nominal cost in manufacture.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved seal with parts broken away. Fig. 2 is a section taken on line A-A of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation with parts broken away and showing the shackle sepa Fig. 4 is a sectional plan View, with the section taken on line BB of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a similar View to the last, with the section taken on the line G-Gr of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a detail view, illustrating a modified construction of the shackle.

Referring to the drawings: 1 indicates a flexible shackle preferably made of sheet-tin or other metal in the form of a thin strip, and adapted to beinsertedthrough thehasp, staple, or other portionsof a car-door or other thing to be sealed, in a manner similar to that in which other well known flexible shackles are used. One end of the shackle is provided with a perforation 2, and at a point adjacent its opposite end a cylindrical securing member 3 is located, the same being preferably formed integral with said shackle, by being stamped therefrom, so as to project about at right angles to the body thereof. This cylindrical member is provided with opposite longitudinal slits 4, extending from its free end inward to a point adjacent its base, for a purpose hereinafter mentioned. In some cases, however, I may modify this construction of the shackle and the member 3 by forming a circular aperture 5 in the shackle at the point where said member is to be located, and form the said member separate from said shackle, in the form of a cylindrical thimble having one end free and slitted and its opposite end provided with an annular flange 6, and then insert the free end of said member into said circular aperture until said flange contacts with said shackle, in which position it may be secured by means of solder, or in any known manner. (See Fig. 6.)

It will be observed that in each of the above forms the outer or free end of the cylindrical member 3 is opened. Its inner end may be closed, and should be closed in any known manner, but preferably by means of a body of solder 7, so as to prevent the insertion of picking implements in thehands of surreptitious persons.

8 indicates the seal, which is preferably made in truncated conical shape, with its base closed by means of a plate 9 around the periphery of which the edge 10 of the material of which the seal is composed, is flanged inward, so as to secure said plates in place.

The upper end of the seal 8 is normally open, the opening therein being of such size that the cylindrical member 3 may be inserted therein and securely locked against withdrawal in a manner hereinafter mentioned.

11 indicates a finishing thimble, which is flanged around the opening in the upper end of the seal, and the purpose of which is to strengthen said edge and prevent the sharp edges thereof injuring the parts which may come in contact with them when in use.

Loosely located within the hollow body of the seal 8, which body is hollow, is a tapered thimble 12, preferably made of metal or some infrangible material, so that it cannot be broken or easily disfigured.

The base of the thimble 12 is of such size that it cannot pass outward through the opening in the upper end of the seal, but must necessarily retain its position within said seal, with said base normally resting in contact with the plate 9 of the seal and with its upthe opening 2 therein, so that its free open end projects through said opening, as shown in Fig. 3. Then the free end of the cylindrical member is first made to engage the projecting end of the thimble 12, and is pushed inward into the opening in the upper end of the seal, by such an amount of pressure as will cause the free end of said member to forcibly engage the tapered body of said thimble and be expanded or thrown outward, so as to form a sort of Wedge or dove-tail within the body of the seal, as shown in Fig. 2. This operation will have the efiect of permanently securing the ends of the shackle together and to the seal, so that they will necessarily have to be broken or disfigured in order to bring about a separation of these parts. Any disfigurement of these parts may be readily detected by the inspector during operation.

The cylindrical member 3 forms one securing member carried by the shackle, While the thimble 12 co-operating with the seal 8 forms the other securing member of the device.

In an endeavor to withdraw the member 3 from the seal, the thimble 12 will be only more securely clamped by said member, as said thimble is loosely mounted within the hollow body of said seal.

What I claim is 1. The improved self-fastening seal having a flexible shackle in the form of a thin strip perforated adjacent one end, a hollow expansible securing member formed upon said shackle adjacent its end which is opposite the perforated portion, and a seal carrying a wedge adapted to expand said expansible member, substantially as herein specified.

2. The improved self -fastening seal constructed with a flexible shackle 1 having a perforation 2 adjacent one end, a cylindrical securing member 3 having slits 4 and projecting at an angle from said shackle at a point adjacent the end thereof which is opposite the end having the perforation, said cylindrical member being of such size as to be passed into said perforation, and a seal carrying a wedge adapted to expand said securing member, substantially as herein specified.

3. The improved self fastening seal constructed with flexible shackle 1 having a perforated end and a cylindrical securing member adapted to enter said perforation, a seal 8 having a hollow body and an opening, and a tapered securing device located within said hollow body, to expand said cylindrical member and lock said shackle to said seal when said cylindrical member is forced within the opening in said seal, substantially as herein specified.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHRIS MYI-IRE.

Witnesses:

EWD. E. LONGAN, L. L. TRACEY. 

